What does Thomas Jefferson's history say about the state of our nation today? This podcast from UVa's Woodson Institute explores
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We cite @DainaRameyBerry's article "How Sally Hemings and Other Enslaved People Secured Precious Pockets of Freedom" in Q2 and take direction from the collection she co-edited "Sexuality and Slavery: Reclaiming Intimate Histories in the Americas" history.com/news/slavery-neg…
We've heard from many teachers & profs using our series in their classrooms. Check out this detailed guide for "Writing about Slavery" compiled by top-notch scholars including @FictionsofHaiti, our colleague @WoodsonUVA
Want to help writers, editors, journalists and NGOs when writing about #slavery? Join senior scholars w/ suggestions, and best practices. #blktwitterstorians @DainaRameyBerry @FictionsofHaiti @marthasjones_ @analuciaraujo_ docs.google.com/document/d/1…
@TLeFlouria writes: SH's story "is told from the basement of Jefferson’s... plantation. The 3rd American president’s legacy barely touches the brick floors & plastered walls of Hemings’ windowless room, their two lives more unconnected @TJMonticello today than they were in 1791."
Our colleagues @WoodsonUVA have also engaged with "The Life of Sally Hemings" exhibition @TJMonticello. Check out @TLeFlouria's thought-provoking piece "When Slavery is Erased from Plantations" for @TheAtlantic theatlantic.com/entertainmen…
On Q2, we discuss this negotiation as well as the concepts of "choice" and "agency" during slavery. Mia Bay, an historian @Penn, provides excellent context on this deal reprising details from her article "In Search of Sally Hemings in the Post-DNA Era" jstor.org/stable/30031502?se…
Madison's testimony explains how S.H. negotiated w/ T.J. in Paris, France. As a result, Jefferson promised her "extraordinary privileges, and made a solemn pledge that her children should be freed at the age of twenty-one years." encyclopediavirginia.org/_Li…
Next, Q2 engages with @TJMonticello's recent exhibition: "The Life of Sally Hemings," which relies heavily on one document from Hemings and Jefferson's son, Madison. Monticello created a fantastic online version of the exhibition: monticello.org/sallyhemings/
For 200 years, Sally Hemmings has been overshadowed by Thomas Jefferson. Interest in the "scandal" has obscured her identity. She was a real woman, with feelings and experiences. Today, we open a new space dedicated to sharing her story. #LookCloser #Monticello
Callender wrote, "IT is well known that the man, whom it delighteth the people to honor, keeps, and for many years past has kept, as his concubine, one of his own slaves. Her name is SALLY.” encyclopediavirginia.org/_Th…
For generations, S.H. has been used as a political tool. @UndeNIYAble says: "Sally Hemings' relationship with T.J. is contentious as early as 1802, James Callender smears him in a newspaper." This is the document she referenced. Tune in to Q2 for more: oembed.libsyn.com/embed?item…
"Basically, if you compare the DNA, the oral history, and all the evidence of was here at Monticello and who was not, it could not have been anyone but Thomas Jefferson..." @UndeNIYAble, indeed!
There was a lot we couldn’t cover on Q2, so we want to share some bonus content! In 1998, DNA test results corroborated the oral history testimony of Hemings-Jefferson descendants. Here's our host @dem8z speaking with @UndeNIYAble about the DNA findings. notes.woodson.virginia.edu/q…
We engage w/ these issues on the latest episode of our podcast. It might be relevant to those responding to this thread. We also cite your article "Jefferson was not a benevolent slave owner" in the further reading section on our website. Give it a listen! notes.woodson.virginia.edu/q…
Fantastic! Sounds like an exciting class. Thank you for sharing with your students. We'd love to hear feedback about how you're using @NotesontheState in your class. Send us a DM & consider writing us a review on iTunes. Happy teaching! 📻📚
So good to see Q2 having classroom applications! The episode transcript should be up to date with sources and a complete bibliography if your students want further context.
After @nhannahjones' electrifying visit to @UVA yesterday, we wanted to share this thread about the problematics of romanticizing slavery. It touches on a number of themes we attempt to address in "Q2: Coming to Terms with Sally Hemings" oembed.libsyn.com/embed?item…
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Thanks! Indeed, the dearth of archival info posed a big challenge. As a result, we relied heavily on the creative work of historians, many of them black American women, who have helped bring S.H.'s story to light. We'll share the sources that went into Q2 over the coming days!
Query 2 features some incredibly smart people: @UndeNIYAble and @MelodyCBarnes of @TJMonticello, Mia Bay from the @Penn, and our @UVA colleagues @LWoolfork and @FictionsofHaiti
Thomas Jefferson fathered 6 children w/ Sally Hemings. For generations, her life story has been overshadowed by Jefferson’s iconic image & the controversy surrounding "the affair." Who is Sally Hemings? What is her story? Find out on Q2: oembed.libsyn.com/embed?item… #PresidentsDay2020
On our next episode, we take direction from the signage for the life of Sally Hemings exhibition at Monticello. Check out our IGTV page for a video of an exchange between our host @dem8z and @UndeNIYAble about the sign that reads “Not so bad?” instagram.com/tv/B3Zrcs_g8UC…